Worker killed in electrical accident

Thursday

SOUTHPORT — A subcontractor working for Gulf Power Co. died Wednesday afternoon after 250,000 volts of electricity wet through his body, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).

SOUTHPORT — A subcontractor working for Gulf Power died after he grabbed a wire loaded with 250,000 volts of electricity Wednesday, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).

Matthew VanWitzenberg, of Tennessee, was pronounced dead at Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart Health System on Wednesday afternoon, BCSO reported Thursday. He was an employee of the Service Electric Company of Chattanooga, Tenn.

BCSO Investigator Albert Willis said VanWitzenberg grabbed a “live wire” while working at Gulf Power’s Lansing Smith Steam Plant on County 2300 at about noon Wednesday.

“He grabbed the wrong wire,” Willis said.

Willis believes VanWitzenberg was killed instantly.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) will conduct the investigation into the incident, according to BCSO.

Service Electric issued a statement Thursday afternoon, confirming the death.

“Yesterday, one of our employees was involved in a fatal accident while performing utility work for Gulf Power in Panama City,” the statement says. “Service Electric Co. is investigating the cause of this incident and is cooperating with the investigations being conducted by OSHA and the customer. Service Electric mourns the loss of one of our co-workers, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

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